Online Backgammon Etiquette

Have you ever been kept waiting for an online backgammon opponent to make his next move only to find out that he has logged off or terminated the game? How long are you expected for an opponent to take his turn in online backgammon and when is a reasonable time to move on?

Obviously the more the online backgammon game is going in your favor, the longer the period of time you'll wait. But if you don't want to be kept waiting ten to fifteen minutes while your opponent ponders his next course of action, you may wish to consider the following. If you and your backgammon opponent are evenly matched and the score is one-away apiece, you should wait an average time of 5 minutes. However, if your score is one-away and your opponent's is five-away, a time of 25 minutes is recommended.

Several tips on backgammon waiting times can be found in Kit Woolsey's book “Can a Snail Taste Half as Good? (New Ideas In Waiting).” Woolsey examines the differences between “bold” and “safe” waiting in a backgammon game and recommends times based on both scores. Remember that it is bad etiquette in online backgammon to be a “dropper” or a player that doesn’t finish a game. Regardless of your level, you are expected to play fairly and considerately. This includes taking your moves in a reasonable timeframe.